In a decision promulgated on Sept. 6 and released yesterday, the 18th division of the appellate court said the respondents did not violate the Government Procurement Reform Act.

“It was never claimed that the prices of the procured items were unreasonable. It was also undisputed that all the items...were delivered…It was not proven...that petitioners’ alleged violation of the law was with willful intent. Petitioners cannot be held liable for grave misconduct or gross neglect of duty,” the CA ruling stated.

However, the court found Recabar and Ravena guilty of simple misconduct and ordered their suspension for three months without pay.

Leonardia welcomed the CA ruling, saying there was no overprice, conspiracy or bad faith. “It was just a matter of technicalities and procedures,” he said.

International Boxing Federation (IBF) superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas insists he’s not the second coming of Manny Pacquiao, despite media hype that he’s next in line as the ring icon’s heir apparent.

It was Sen. Manny Pacquiao on the other end of the line and IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas asked for a pray-over during a brief overseas telephone call the morning of his fight against Mexican challenger Israel Gonzalez at the American Bank Center here Saturday night.